320d coolant replacement?

[NS406]

So my e90 is approaching 4 years of age. I know BMW does not change engine coolant as part of motorplan and use a 'lifetime' coolant (lifetime of motorplan...). Thing is on two of my previous vehicles (Mercedes C280, VW CitiGolf CTi) I started having cooling problems after about 160000km and/or 7 years... That I want to prevent and it seems that changing coolant after about 4-5 years is a good idea... Will BMW do it in Motorplan (if I pay out of pocket)? Has anybody had it done by BMW?

 

[Loom]

:thinking: is it not every 2 years?

 

[DieselFan]

Bmw design their cooling systems with a self draining system. Every so often the system will drain itself forcing you to replace the fluid.

 

[Loom]

Bmw design their cooling systems with a self draining system. Every so often the system will drain itself forcing you to replace the fluid, hoses, expansion tank, thermostat and viscous fan, if present.

Fixed.

 

[NS406]

So should I just wait to have a random 'self draining event' who knows where, or would it help to be a little more proactive?


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Bmw design their cooling systems with a self draining system. Every so often the system will drain itself forcing you to replace the fluid, hoses, expansion tank, thermostat and viscous fan, if present.

Fixed.

The E46 had notorious cooling system problems, is that still the case in subsequent models?

I don't want to go through this again with BMW, my Mercedes was never the same after head gasket failure and string of cooling related problems that followed.


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[Loom]

IIRC the Bentley manual for the E36 recommends a coolant change every 2-3 years. Seeing that coolant has anti-freeze, anti-boil as well as anti-rust properties I would change it every 2-3 years anyway. I only use a 50/50 mix of BMW coolant and water. Distilled water is recommended but I use reverse osmosis filtered water as I have a filter system at home. At least it prevents scale buildup.